Il trovatore removed from festival programme

The staging of the opera Il trovatore, planned for 26 February as part of the Golden Mask festival, has been cancelled. Performers Tatiana Ryaguzova and Scott Hendricks, who were nominated for Best Female Opera Role and Best Male Opera Role respectively, have declined to participate in the festival’s competitive programme. Their decision is an expression of solidarity with the Mikhalovsky Theatre’s Artistic Director Vladimir Kekhman, who has argued that the production cannot be nominated unless credit is given to its creators, director, and conductor. Il trovatore is therefore being removed from the Golden Mask festival programme. We are sorry to bring this news to our theatregoers. Refunds may be obtained at the theatre box office. Instead of Il trovatore, a concert performance of the opera Don Pasquale will be held on 26 February.